The agreement will reduce the price of the R21/Matrix-M malaria vaccine to $2.99 per dose within a year, a move expected to generate savings of up to $90 million. These savings will enable countries to purchase more than 30 million additional doses over the next five years, significantly expanding access. Gavi officials highlighted that this price cut demonstrates the power of innovative financing and partnerships to secure affordable vaccines that protect children from one of Africa’s most lethal diseases.
Malaria remains a severe global health threat, causing an estimated 597,000 deaths in 2023, with young children in Africa most affected. A child succumbs to the disease nearly every minute. UNICEF emphasized the urgency of action, especially as international aid declines, noting its commitment to working with partners to ensure sufficient vaccine supply at the lowest possible cost to safeguard children.
The reduced pricing became possible through an advance payment from the International Finance Facility for Immunisation, which transforms long-term donor pledges into immediate funds. This mechanism allows Gavi to respond quickly to major opportunities that can reshape vaccine markets. IFFIm leadership described the arrangement as an example of how financial innovation can translate ambitious goals into concrete, life-saving actions.
Over 40 million malaria vaccine doses have already been delivered through Gavi-supported programmes, and 24 African countries have incorporated malaria vaccination into routine immunisation. Demand continues to rise, with 14 countries introducing the vaccine last year and seven more joining in 2025. The lower price will support Gavi’s goal of fully vaccinating 50 million additional children by 2030. Both WHO-endorsed vaccines, R21/Matrix-M and RTS,S, have proven to cut malaria cases by more than half in the first year, with added protection after booster doses. For families and overstretched health systems, the expanded rollout offers a transformative opportunity to give every child a fair chance at protection and save lives now.
